Space Coast ranked as one of world’s top tourism destinations for families

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Amy Alipio, a senior editor for National Geographic Travel, said the Space Coast stood out for the editors compiling the list because of its juxtaposition of space launches and ecotourism. 

The magazine’s article describes the Space Coast as “a launchpad for wonders, both in the sky and in waters below.”

The Space Coast was cited for such things as its rocket launches, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, manatee and dolphin viewing, and bioluminescence tours along the Indian River Lagoon by kayak.

“At the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (open with COVID-19 restrictions), families can watch scheduled blastoffs of SpaceX and Boeing spacecrafts, and walk among gigantic rockets towering over a hundred feet high,” the section on the Space Coast noted. “A different sort of giant, the lumbering West Indian manatee, plies the waters of Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, surrounding the Space Center.”

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Kayakers view the bioluminescence in the Banana River. (Photo: MALCOLM DENEMARK/FLORIDA TODAY)

Space Coast Office of Tourism Executive Director Peter Cranis said the inclusion of Brevard County on the widely followed list is a significant achievement, as the Space Coast aims to recover from the tourism slump resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.

Cranis plans to use the Space Coast’s inclusion on the list as part of future marketing efforts in both traditional and social media.

He said some local residents take for granted things like manatee viewing and rocket launches. But, for travelers from other parts of the country or other countries, they are memorable vacation experiences. 

In light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, National Geographic Travel’s theme for this year’s listing is “Dream Now, Go Later.”

“While the pandemic has brought journeys to a standstill, it’s not quieted our curiosity,” National Geographic Travel Executive Editor George Stone said in announcing the list. “The world is full of wonders — even when they’re hard to reach.”

Stone encourages people to use the list to “discover something new about an extraordinary place or culture in our world, and perhaps dream up your next journey, for when that time comes.”

The other four destinations on the list of family-oriented journeys were:

• England Coast Path, which is the world’s longest seafront walking trail. 
• Hortobágy, Hungary.  
• Indigenous British Columbia, Canada.  
• Transylvania, Romania.  

U.S. destinations that made the Best of the World 2021 list in other categories were:

• Culture and history: Pueblo Nations, New Mexico; and Tulsa, Oklahoma.
• Sustainability stars: Denver, Colorado.
• Ultimate adventures: Katmai National Park & Preserve, Alaska. 
• Wild beautiful places: Isle Royale, Michigan.

Alipio said the listing is one of National Geographic Travel’s most viewed stories every year, and is responsible for many people visiting the featured destinations. The listing also will appear in the printed editions of the magazine throughout Europe.

Dave Berman is government editor at FLORIDA TODAY.